Page 16 of Cry of the Damned
Mouth watering, I led Ila and Bethel to my favorite pastry shop. There, I bought a pistachio pastry for everyone, even the guys. We took our treat to a park nearby and sat under the shade of a big oak tree, licking honey off our fingers and moaning in pleasure.
“Novuk is going to love this,” Bethel said, running her tongue along her index finger to capture a drop of honey.
“So… what’s the deal between you and Novuk?” I asked, feeling enough at ease to ask.
For a moment, I feared she wouldn’t answer, but after a moment, she said, “I like him. I always have.”
“I can tell that,” I replied. “And he likes you too. It’s pretty obvious. Have you two…?” I wiggled my eyebrows.
To my surprise, Bethel blushed.
Ila pressed a hand to her mouth. “You haven’t!”
Bethel shook her head. “We haven’t even kissed.”
“Are you serious?” I asked.
“You know how he is.” Bethel’s expression went dreamy. “He’s sweet and tentative, and I… well… my mother wouldn’t approve.”
“What?!” I exclaimed and glanced over at Ila, who didn’t look surprised, only sad.
“Why not?” I asked, guessing that I was probably missing some piece of knowledge that was commonplace in the packs and covens.
But Bethel didn’t answer. She just lowered her head and stared at the ground.
“She’s expected to pick someone from her coven,” Ila explained. “She must mate with another witch in order to produce strong offspring, especially because she will be the Wallagrass priestess once Nanai can’t perform the duties anymore.”
“Oh, I didn’t know.” I frowned as I felt Bethel’s sadness practically ooze out of her. I picked at my pistachio pastry, wishing I hadn’t brought up the topic.
Ila reached out and pressed a hand to Bethel’s folded knee. “How do you feel about that?”
Bethel shrugged. “Novuk and I… we flirt a lot, but we’ve never talked about our feelings. I mean, I know he likes me, but that doesn’t mean he loves me.”
Ila laughed. “Oh, Bethel, for all your boastfulness, you really are clueless. He adores you. He always has. When we used to pack up to go trade with your coven, he couldn’t wait. All he could talk about was you. It’s been like that since we were little.”
“Maybe…” I started tentatively, “he doesn’t say anything because he doesn’t think there’s any hope.”
Ila nodded thoughtfully, as if she agreed.
“Is there? Any hope?” I dared to ask.
Bethel blew air through her nose, looking angry. “I don’t know. I can’t make decisions or even begin to imagine the possibility with someone who isn’t brave enough to take a chance.”
Ila and I both blinked at the outburst. Clearly, the witch was frustrated with Novuk’s tentative approach. It seemed he needed to up his game if he was going to win Bethel’s heart.
“You’re not taking a chance either,” Ila said.
The witch narrowed her dark eyes. “Look who’s talking.”
I flinched at the comment, but Ila didn’t seem affected by it.
“It’s not the same,” my sister said.
Bethel huffed. “Oh, yeah? How so?”
“It’s no secret to you that I have feelings for Maki, but that’s not the issue. The issue is that… if he wants me, he has to grovel and show me that he’s changed. I gave him my heart, and he treated it like an old moccasin. He betrayed me with Desna, of all people. He was callous and made it clear that he wasn’t the type of man I wanted by my side.”
Bethel’s irritation with Ila dissipated with the explanation. “I see.” The witch nodded her understanding. “It’s clear he still likes you and wants another chance, but I don’t know if he has changed. So I agree with you.”
